West Virginia’s paralegal jobs numbered about 1,590 as of May 2020, thanks to opportunities in a variety of sectors.
The state’s energy sector, which remains a key component to the state’s economy… a strong federal government presence through agencies like the FBI, U.S. Treasury, and the National Park Service… and a large healthcare sector that includes some of the state’s biggest employers like West Virginia United Health System in Morgantown and CAMC Health Systems Charleston all create exciting opportunities for West Virginia’s legal services industry which, in turn, means growing opportunities for the paralegals who call the state home.
Paralegal Job Market Trends in West Virginia
As of May 2020, the average paralegal salary in West Virginia was $52,680, or $25.33 per hour. Once you’ve earned considerable experience, particularly in one more legal specialties like corporate litigation, labor law, estate law, or consumer law, your salary will more accurately reflect the state’s top earners (top 10%), who earned about $82,880, or $39.85 per hour during this time – that’s about $30,000 more than the state average.
Average Paralegal Salary in West Virginia by City
As the largest city and seat of government, Charleston offers the highest average salary for paralegals, which is about $7,000 higher than the state average.
Beckley:
Average – $40,700 ($19.57 hourly)
Top 10% – $57,660 ($27.72 hourly)
Charleston:
Average – $59,410 ($28.56 hourly)
Top 10% – $94,660 ($45.51 hourly)
Huntington-Ashland:
Average – $52,530 ($25.25 hourly)
Top 10% – $79,630 ($38.29 hourly)
Morgantown:
Average – $55,050 ($26.47 hourly)
Top 10% – $75,990 ($36.54 hourly)
Parkersburg-Vienna:
Average – $48,420 ($23.28 hourly)
Top 10% – $65,620 ($31.55 hourly)
Weirton-Steubenville (WV-OH):
Average – $40,600 ($19.52 hourly)
Top 10% – $55,130 ($26.51 hourly)
Wheeling:
Average – $44,180 ($21.24 hourly)
Top 10% – $59,960 ($28.83 hourly)
May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary, growth, and job market trends for paralegals and legal assistants. Figures represent state data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2021.